Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.
Section 14: NZ Bill of Rights
This provision says everyone has the right to express themselves. We are free to seek or share ideas and opinions through speech, writing, art, protest, or any other means. This is one of the most powerful rights in the Bill because it underpins democracy itself.
Due to this right, the government cannot stop people from speaking freely, unless there is a very strong reason for doing so, such as protecting public safety.
People are free to criticise the government, post opinions online, or protest peacefully, but threats and incitements to violence can be restricted. However, any limits must be carefully justified.
Our right to freedom of expression includes the right to learn. We not only have the right to speak but also to listen. That is interpreted quite broadly. There are many things which everyone has the right to know if they so choose. The Official Information Act, Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, and countless other acts that require public disclosure set lower limits of what must be disclosed. Plenty of work remains to be done to change our laws and government’s procedures to align to our freedom of expression rights.